After sending Monroe off, Henwell begins the next phase of his pn. Monroe will colborate with Scar Tiger, the bandit leader Henwell intentionally spared, to form a new bandit crew. This crew will target specific objectives, such as caravans trying to evade tariffs by taking shortcuts. They might also be used to under money that Henwell wants to legitimize or to help his new "friend," Knight Roderick, handle some troublesome issues.

  Henwell never fully trusts either of them, nor does he worry about betrayal. As Henwell often says, he believes in human nature more than in oaths. Human nature has its weaknesses, and understanding these weaknesses and exerting a bit of control is far more effective than relying on promises.

  Additionally, Henwell offers them certain benefits, ensuring that their retionship is bound even tighter by mutual interests. Monroe, a warrior of knightly rank without the title, possesses considerable combat skills and is a competent military officer. Many of the bandits scattered along the borders of the three kingdoms are former soldiers, making it retively easy for Monroe to bring them under his command.

  Scar Tiger, on the other hand, is a seasoned and cunning bandit, inherently a rogue. Despite being spared by Henwell, he has ambitions and a gleam of greed in his eyes. He wouldn't settle for remaining a cripple. With no pce for him in the Kingdom of Ika or the Duchy of Vorry, and cking a foothold in the Kingdom of Ogiro, his only chance to rise again is by relying on Henwell.

  Having spent years in the world of banditry, Scar Tiger possesses extensive knowledge about various bandits. With some strategic pnning, Monroe—now going by Senra—can quickly absorb the surrounding bandit groups.

  With military-grade weapons and comprehensive intelligence support, if they can't grow their operation, it would indicate a ck of survival instinct. Henwell isn't concerned about a small investment failing.

  Senra and Scar Tiger are fundamentally different, making it impossible for them to become true friends. They exist in a state of mutual restraint and oversight, ensuring neither can escape Henwell's control. Within just half a month, the duo of Senra and Scar Tiger has already formed a bandit group of dozens.

  During this time, Henwell is busy training the newly recruited defense forces every day. Since the recruitment started, only six hundred soldiers have joined, far from reaching full capacity.

  The popuce isn't particurly enthusiastic about joining the military, often showing significant resistance. In this world, military service rarely offers opportunities to completing the css jump, and the pay is notoriously "underwhelming."

  Even though Henwell offers what he considers a "decent" sary, enlistment numbers remain low. After all, Henwell is essentially writing IOUs, as Peace Haven's finances aren't exactly flourishing. However, Henwell isn't worried. He ignores his subordinates' suggestions to lower recruitment standards.

  Henwell's upcoming strategies, both overt and covert, will force all merchant caravans to use the official roads. The vilges and towns that benefited from caravans taking shortcuts will soon experience a sharp economic decline. Henwell aims to compete with the popuce for profits, drawing people towards Peace Town and the rge trading post.

  Why is he doing this? To promote urbanization, of course. A rger popution allows for city construction, and a city can create effective economic influence. Tax collection becomes more convenient too!

  In just half a month, many shops in vilges and towns that once served caravans are facing closure. Previously expecting to profit greatly, many vilges increased their investment in services for caravans, only to have Henwell cut off their source of income.

  Meanwhile, the rge trading post Henwell established is rapidly expanding. The number of caravans passing through is skyrocketing, increasing the demand for bor. Henwell offers competitive wages to recruit craftsmen and workers, starting construction on various buildings.

  Henwell himself doesn't engage in business; after all, he's a noble now! Engaging in trade is beneath him. Instead, he focuses on collecting rent. He continuously invests all his money into building houses, regardless of whether they're occupied. His focus is on construction.

  Henwell meticulously pns out streets and designates commercial areas, ying the groundwork for a thriving urban center.

  Initially, the idle workforce from various vilges flock to the trading post area to earn money. With more people, business naturally follows, as commerce fundamentally chases after the crowd. Wealthier individuals from these vilges start opening shops in Henwell’s properties. Generously, Henwell waives the rent for three months, attracting even some merchants from Peace Town to set up shop.

  Three months ter, Henwell successfully fills the ranks of the defense camp with new recruits. By then, the bustling trading post has already significantly boosted Peace Haven's tax revenue, enough to cover all of Henwell's previous IOUs.

  At this point, the secret merchant caravan Henwell and Roderick have been assembling begins its official operations. This caravan transports highly sought-after goods, including items strictly reguted by both parties, such as arms and even contraband. Although the caravan isn't rge, it enjoys the privilege of crossing borders without inspection.

  Smuggling, after all, is a damn profitable venture in any world.

  Meanwhile, the bandit group led by Senra and Scar Tiger is thriving. They skillfully evade patrols from both kingdoms, targeting rich caravans and making clean getaways.

  Any rival bandit groups attempting to absorb them have had the misfortune of being ambushed by the military forces of the two kingdoms. These setbacks allow Senra and Scar Tiger to turn the tables and absorb their would-be aggressors instead.

  Now known as the Wind Raiders, this bandit group boasts over a hundred elite mounted raiders and more than two hundred fearless fighters, with their numbers steadily growing.

  As everything progresses steadily according to his pns, Henwell celebrates his fifteenth birthday. Now, he possesses a significant amount of secret wealth, a lucrative trading caravan, and a capable fighting force. But Henwell is keenly aware that all of this is based on his status as the heir of the Phoenix family. Once his role as a stand-in ends, he risks losing all these advantages.

  With only six months left, Henwell is determined to bolster his resources as much as possible. With financial backing now secured, he can return to his previous routine of using a knight's body-strengthening potion weekly, a luxury he once enjoyed. Henwell knows that in this world, he can only rely on himself. Making money is essential for survival and a better life.

  Even though the knight's body-strengthening potions he buys privately aren't cheap, Henwell remains steadfast in converting his wealth into personal strength. As the autumn harvest arrives, the entire territory buzzes with activity, even the caravan operations take a backseat to the harvest. After all, ensuring everyone is fed and alive is the most crucial task for the territory.

  Henwell realizes there are still many serfs in the vilges who could be transformed into more efficient borers.

  However, time is not on his side. He needs to focus and start preparing for the Path of Honor in the spring. If he survives the ordeal, having proven his worth to the baron, there's a good chance he might be allowed to stay in Peace Haven. If he's lucky, he could secure a knight's fief here. If not, he might have to flee and live as an outw!